Barrow derby draw leaves Morecambe six points from League Two safety

Ten men Morecambe slipped six points from safety in League Two after a 2-2 draw with the Bluebirds in the Morecambe Bay derby at the Mazuma.

The Shrimps got off to the perfect start in the tenth minute. An inch-perfect through ball from Tom White found Gwion Edwards, who slotted underneath Paul Farman.

Two excellent saves from Harry Burgoyne then preserved Morecambe’s lead. First, he kept out Whitfield's volley at the back post before, moments later, he showed bravery to deny Tyler Smith after he was put through on goal.

Morecambe were reduced to ten men after 28 minutes. Defender Max Taylor was shown a straight red card following a coming together with Ben Whitfield.

Despite the one man disadvantage, the Shrimps managed to double their lead in first half stoppage time. Lee Angol did well down the right, and his effort took a deflection and nestled in the bottom corner.

A huge chance to make it three went begging in the opening stages of the second half. as Angol intercepted a pass and played in Andy Dallas who ran toward goal from the halfway line. The striker attempted to take the ball around Farman but the goalkeeper managed to smother the ball.

Barrow were now piling on the pressure to try and get back into the game, and Sam Foley saw a header cannon back off the post, before Robbie Gotts bundled the ball home after a scramble in the box to halve the deficit.

The Bluebirds found a deserved equaliser 18 minutes from time. A Dean Campbell effort from distance wasn’t held by Burgoyne, and the loose ball was tapped in by Tyler Smith.

With three minutes of normal time to play, Campbell brought the ball down after a corner was swung in and controlled it before firing narrowly wide of the top left corner.

Morecambe are six points from safety inside the League Two relegation zone, with nine games remaining.

Morecambe: Burgoyne, A Lewis (Tutonda, 67') White, Taylor, Stott, Edwards, Angol (Dackers, 77'), Dallas (Slew, 67'), Cooke (Jones, 77'), Millen, Songo'o ©.

Subs not used: Hope, Williams, Tollitt.

Goals: Edwards (10'), Angol (45+3').

Bookings: Edwards, A Lewis.

Red Cards: Taylor.

Barrow AFC: Farman, Canavan ©, Spence, Smith, Newby, Williams, Gotts, Foley, Pressley (Acquah, 74'), Whitfield (Mahoney, 73'), Duru (Campbell, 50').

Subs not used: Stanway, Cameron, Jackson.

Goals: Gotts (63'), Smith (73').

Bookings: Foley, Gotts, Campbell.

Attendance: 4,351 (1,213 away).